HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc454-5W
Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is his policy to encourage co-operation between police authorities and insurance interests in combating crime, particularly theft;

(2) if he has received an indication from police authorities that they no longer intend to supply information to insurance interests regarding burglaries; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what representations he has received on the decision of police authorities to discontinue the practice of supplying information to insurance interests; from whom; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Association of Chief Police Officers informed the Home Office last month that chief officers of police, whose responsibility this is, have decided after discussing the matter with the British Insurance Association that routine information can no longer be supplied to insurance companies in connection with loss, theft or burglaries. Besides the letter which the hon. Member wrote to me on 14th February, representations have been received from two other hon. Members and from the British Insurance Association. My officials will be meeting the British Insurance Association shortly. I shall give their views careful consideration before replies are sent to the representations made on this subject.

I am satisfied that chief officers take into account the part insurers can play in crime prevention.